Why did you pick a Bronco?

My daughter in law's mother is a travelling saleswoman. Her children wanted her to replace here EB she had bought new because it had 152K miles. I drove it and found it to be light years ahead of my Cherokee which is built for smaller people, had the "death wobble" and a carburetor.

I have liked my Bronco so much I have done everything possible to make it last my lifetime and have worked on it more than all the previous vehicles in 56 years of driving. It has 197K and will be fine into the 300K's

A sad and difficult time is coming in about a year when a son gives me his loaded Z** Sub***** ( trying not to be blasphemous). Selling will be very emotional.

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If your ignition control module is a black Motorcraft (CCD system) do not replace it with a gray one (Push Start system). The wiring harness is different.

When I was stationed at NAS Keflavik Iceland in the mid 80's, someone brought over a lifted 80-86 model with 33s or 35s. Had a row of Desert lights across the grill and above the cab. He took the roof off during the only nice day we had that year and I was jealous. Decided I had to have one when I grew up. I did buy a 85 with 300 and granny 4 speed, but got rid of it when the little ones came along and I had trouble reaching the back seat with the car seats. Once the little ones were big enough to strap themselves in, I bought my 94. I'll never get rid of this one.

I went out specifically in search of a replacement for a 1988 Cherokee (yes, alas I was a misguided youth). Knowing that several of my friends were collectors and adamant supporters of the Ford brand and specifically the "early Bronco" (1st gen. 1966-77) I decided to seek one out... in February of 1999. Well, as you can well imagine, a recent stint back at college and a part-time job weren't exactly helpful in preparing my wallet for the purchase/restoration of a 22-33 year-old vehicle especially if I was to drive it daily. I had learned my lesson years prior when it came to the prospect of driving AND restoring a vehicle at the same time. (My poor 1965 Cadillac suffered a fate I will forever regret). So, instead I turned my attention to the very recently discontinued full-size model... or a Suburban... yeah, I still had some learning to do.

I found three options in the full-size realm. A bargain-basement 1986 with a 300 and a C6 painted in what appeared to be Chrysler Competition Orange that needed a helping hand just to make it off the dealer's lot when I test drove it, was the first option. The second was a heavily faded blue Suburban from 1987 with a 350 and 400TH automatic. It shifted oddly (a 400TH definitely should NOT) and lost even more luster when I found option number three. You all remember (or at least have seen photos of) Greystreak92. She was a 92 with the 5.0 and E4OD. Her grey body sides and matching interior were in far better shape than either of the other two I had looked at. At $7500.00 and just barely under 100K on the ticker, I fell and fell hard.

In spite of the fact that I took delivery on my girlfriend's birthday AND she co-signed the note on it, I drove home happier than a pig in $#!†. (That GF is now my wife of 12 years). It became the single most reliable, sturdy, and stable vehicle I had ever driven... and it was the 11th vehicle I owned. The Bronco was my pride and joy and NOTHING was too good for it. Tough Country 4" suspension lift, 33" BFG's, Bassani Street Thunder Xhaust, Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels, tune up components and fluid replacements that cost twice what the standard stuff did... such was my first experience with the full-size Bronco.

When vandals burned her to a crisp in August of 2003, the same wife/girlfriend and I went out that very day and found the black '93 that can be seen in my profile/signature. Spent $4000.00 less on it and the ONLY difference between her and GS92 was the lack of grey body sides. I swore that day GS burned that I would always have a full-size Bronco and even though its taking me forever to finish the 302/300 & E4OD/ZF swap and I do not currently drive it daily, it will be a family member for life.

You know GS, I feel the same way about my TGM. My pride and joy, though I don't have the funds to put everything into it, I plan to get a second vehicle and retire TGM to the side of the house for some "reconstructive" surgery. The old bird is finally going to get some attention but at a slower rate than most. With a second vehicle in my mitts I don't have to worry about TGM not running or driving.

I wish I had a second vehicle now, with this recent... Issue, with my tire falling off, I have been driving my moms Chevy van and, though I'm a Ford guy, this Chevy is a Ford incognito we have had it since it was new and it hasn't let us down. Anyways, I don't like to drive it because my mom might need it for something and having it with me at work kind of makes things difficult. It's been a stressful few days.

The real reason I bought my Bronco is because since 1980, I've wanted one. In 1980 a high school friend of mine had a 1978 Bronco "ranger" package, with a 400 and an automatic, dual exhaust, air conditioning, and the slider side windows. I was sure it was the baddest machine at high school. He drag raced another guys K5 Blazer in the school parking lot at lunch time and flat kicked the K5's ***!!!
My Kids are grown up and I can finally have the rig I WANT...The 78/79's are cool but as I was looking, I decided I wanted the comfort and reliability of the newer models,with EFI and all the comforts of a 92-96 model.
If they come out with a new one---I hope it looks likethis:

b4hntn, who said anything about maintenance? Maintenance is for the Bronco. She's in the garage to get dirty... er um, I mean check fluids... no wait... I'll get it right here in a minute. (I am so dead when Tina reads this).

Trying to focus on why I bought a Bronco... after much refocusing, I stuck my 4WD ATV in a creek and used the Bronco to extract it out of mud so slippery you could not stand up....but that was after I bought it. Thoughts? I'm sure you noticed the ear ring.

__________________
If your ignition control module is a black Motorcraft (CCD system) do not replace it with a gray one (Push Start system). The wiring harness is different.

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